Dyche delighted as Clarets go up

21 April 2014 06:16

Sean Dyche claimed his fifth taste of promotion was the sweetest yet after guiding Burnley back to the Barclays Premier League with a 2-0 victory over Wigan.

As a player Dyche was promoted four times with the likes of Chesterfield, Bristol City, Millwall and Northampton.

But now he is celebrating promotion as a manager after first-half goals from Ashley Barnes and Michael Kightly saw off Wigan at Turf Moor.

The result means Burnley can finish no lower than second, and while Leicester can secure the Championship title on Tuesday with victory over Bolton, Dyche insists everyone at the Clarets should be proud as they return to the top flight.

Dyche said: "It feels marvellous and feels like the destination at the end of a long journey: an impressive journey from a group of people who are totally motivated and committed to stand the test of what a season is.

"I was promoted four times as a player and I know what it feels likes and what it takes as a player but doing it as a manager is an incredible feeling.

"To guide a group of people, when I am still learning and developing, is a major achievement for me, the staff, the players and the club.

"When I came here, I made it clear that managers can only guide players to what they think is appropriate.

"Despite what people think, I don't scream and shout at them all the time. I talk to them about what I think is important for them as individuals and the team.

"If they realign then fantastic; if they don't we talk some more and if they don't then, they disappear out the building.

"I think what we have done is historic. The challenges of the Championship are getting harder and harder because clubs that get relegated are getting richer.

"So to do it automatically is the thing that is getting harder. To do it automatically, having amassed the points we have, with a low budget, and using 22 players is incredible. I don't think those markers will be hit again. I think it is a marker in history."

Marc-Antonie Fortune responded by heading a Jordi Gomez cross against the bar just after half an hour, but Wigan headed into the break two goals behind after Kightly's free-kick from the left side of the box evaded everyone and flew into the corner off Ali Al-Habsi's far post.

Danny Ings almost added to Burnley's lead after half-time but saw his effort from a tight angle hit the post, while Fortune and Emmerson Boyce both wasted chances to grab a goal at the other end.

A third goal did not materialise for Burnley but the fans were happy with any kind of victory and flooded onto the Turf Moor pitch come the final whistle.

Kightly said: "It's a great feeling. It's been a long season but we thoroughly deserve it. We'll enjoy this, then crack on next year.

"We never got complacent, we always stuck to the job. The boys have been different class and the fans have been magnificent."